Rylan Clark, a name that’s become synonymous with British television over the past decade, is stepping into a new era of his life—one marked by personal freedom, hard-won happiness, and a candid embrace of change. From his meteoric rise on The X Factor in 2012 to his current BAFTA-winning adventures across Europe and Asia, Rylan’s journey has been anything but ordinary. But it’s his recent off-screen revelations, particularly about his relationship with Kennedy Bates and a newfound sense of liberation, that have truly captured the public’s attention.
Back in 2012, viewers first met Rylan as a contestant on the ninth series of The X Factor, mentored by Nicole Scherzinger. Competing alongside eventual winner James Arthur, Rylan’s charisma and distinctive style quickly set him apart. That initial exposure paved the way for a remarkable TV career, including stints on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two and regular appearances on This Morning. Yet, as much as Rylan has thrived under the spotlight, his personal life has also played out in the public eye—sometimes with painful transparency.
One of the most significant chapters in Rylan’s life was his marriage to Dan Neal, which lasted from 2015 to 2021. Their split was a turning point, triggering a period of profound struggle for Rylan. According to The Mirror and detailed in his 2022 memoir, Ten: The Decade That Changed My Future, Rylan suffered multiple health scares following the breakup, including two heart failures in 2021. He wrote candidly about his mistakes, admitting, “I have no excuses for what I did way back then, but I had my reasons. I think for many years I had felt a bit like an imposter. That nothing I was doing was right or not quite good enough.” He continued, “There were times when people told me this, and so confirmed my own self-doubts. And you know, when it’s those closest to you giving you this feedback, of course you take it to heart.”
Rylan’s openness about his struggles resonated deeply with fans. As he slowly rebuilt his life, he found solace in his work and the support of loved ones—especially his mother, Linda. A familiar face herself thanks to Celebrity Gogglebox, Linda has faced her own share of health challenges. Just this past January, she suffered a fall outside her home, fracturing her shoulder. Speaking on Rylan’s BBC Radio 2 show, Linda described the ordeal: “I just went flying and I hurt my arm again.” She explained her arm was “black” and “so sore” from bruising, but Rylan reassured listeners that she was on the mend. This wasn’t Linda’s first health scare; she’s endured three major bowel operations for Crohn’s disease and a previous fall in Marbella in 2022, which required surgery while the pair were on holiday.
Despite these personal hurdles, Rylan’s career has continued to flourish. One of his most celebrated projects is Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour on BBC Two, co-hosted with Rob Rinder. The show, which won a BAFTA for Factual Entertainment, follows the pair as they retrace the steps of 19th-century grand tourists through Italy, India, and, most recently, Greece. Their dynamic on-screen chemistry has blossomed into a genuine friendship. As Rylan put it, “We started Grand Tour – our Italy show – as mates. We ended it as friends. Now we’ve gone to India as really good friends.” The third series, focusing on Greek culture, recently wrapped filming and is set to air later this year, promising viewers another dose of adventure and camaraderie.
Yet, it’s Rylan’s life away from the cameras that’s making headlines now. In late 2025, he confirmed his relationship with Kennedy Bates, describing him as someone he had been “waiting for for a long time.” The couple’s recent holiday in the Maldives was a turning point, with Rylan sharing a series of sun-drenched photos on social media. His caption—“Maldives. You were perfect. New year, new friends, new beginnings.”—captured not just the beauty of their getaway but the spirit of renewal that’s come to define this chapter of his life.
The response from friends and colleagues was effusive. Ranvir Singh of Good Morning Britain commented, “This is very cute xxx.” Richie Anderson from Escape to the Country and Strictly It Takes Two’s Zoe Ball were among those who shared their love and support, while Stacey Dooley and Scarlett Moffatt expressed their joy with playful messages and emojis. It was a public affirmation of the happiness Rylan has found—and a testament to the affection he inspires among peers and fans alike.
Perhaps the most telling sign of Rylan’s transformation is his decision to abandon a longtime staple of his public persona: fake tan. After years of relying on it—even going so far as to ship “hundreds” of bottles to India during filming—Rylan revealed it has been six months since he last applied it. He credits this change to a newfound sense of liberation, joking that his bedsheets have “stayed white” and noting that Kennedy supports his choice. “I’ve never felt so free in my life,” Rylan shared, underscoring how small changes can symbolize much larger shifts in self-acceptance and personal growth.
It’s not lost on Rylan—or his audience—that his journey has been marked by both triumph and vulnerability. He’s weathered heartbreak, health scares, and public scrutiny, yet emerged with a sense of independence and joy that’s palpable in his recent interviews and social media posts. The support he’s received from friends, family, and fans has only amplified his determination to live authentically, both on and off screen.
As Rylan looks ahead—to new projects, deeper relationships, and continued self-discovery—he stands as a reminder that freedom often comes not from escaping our past, but from embracing it fully and moving forward with open arms. For a man who once felt like an imposter, Rylan Clark’s latest chapter is all about being unapologetically himself, and that, perhaps, is his greatest achievement yet.